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Calm water, perfect weather for Madison Regatta

Kenzie Winstead, The Courier-Journal
6:47 p.m. EDT July 4, 2014

Last year’s H1 Unlimited Hydroplane champion driver Jimmy Shane, who steered the Graham Trucking boat to the team title, moves this season to the No. 6 Oh boy! Oberto Miss Madison, owned by the residents of the Indiana city.
(Photo: AP)

As most people in Madison, Ind., would see it, Mother Nature owes them a thing or two, specifically picture-perfect weather for this weekend's 64th Madison Regatta.

By all indications, it looks like she will deliver.

Because of high water a year ago, the Madison Regatta — an unlimited hydroplane event on the Ohio River — was canceled for the first time in its storied 63-year history.

The problems didn't start there.

One year before in 2012, many patrons stayed away from the banks of the Ohio because of extreme heat, causing a significant drop in the Regatta's gate receipts.

With rain pounding parts of America, Madison appears to be sunny and dry for the Fourth of July weekend and the 2014 opener in the H1 unlimited hydroplane series.

"We're fine for a change," said Joe Hertz, media chairman of the Regatta. "We got lucky. That could've been us again. But (last year) was a nightmare."

Hertz said the Regatta operates on a tight budget at Madison, a small river town. "This had to be a good year and we were going to be in trouble," he said. "We would've been dead in the water. There's no way we would've survived if we had another issue. It would've take us a year or two to recover.

"It's a hand-to-mouth event," Hertz said. "All motorsports are down in funding."

Now, the Regatta keeps a little closer eye on the water level of the Ohio River.

"I'm paranoid after last year," Hertz said. "But it is dropping and we should be in good shape."

For the Regatta, 29 feet or lower is an acceptable water level for racing. The water level at the Markland Dam should be around 16 feet for this weekend.

The water levels can be found on the Regatta's website, which has a link to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

With a forecast of perfect weather and temperatures in the mid-80s, Hertz said he expects a huge crowd. "We're going to be hammered," he said.

With just one cancellation in 63 years, Hertz said that's a great record. "I'd like to have those odds in Vegas," he said. "I'd take that any time.

• Racing Information: The local boat, Miss Madison, will have a new driver after the retirement of Steve David last season.

Jimmy Shane, one of the top young drivers in the country, now will drive the Miss Madison Racing Team's Oh boy! Oberto boat, owned by the citizens of Madison. Shane is the defending H1 Unlimited Driver Champion.